Course program for international students winter semester

Course Title: Classroom Management & Innovative Teaching Strategies
Course number: 28WCMIS01N
ECTS Credits: 5

Course content: 

• Preventive and reactive strategies dealing with conflicts in class
• Professional communication in class
• Different items of good classroom management based on Jacob Kounin
• Creating learning environment for different learners
• Characteristics of effective teaching and learning
• How to organise things
• Learners' differences and the need of individualisation in teaching as a result
• Different roles of a teacher (controller, organiser, assessor, prompter, participant, resource, tutor, observer)
• Different methods of teaching
• Concept of one's own pedagogical self image
• New forms of assessment (feedback given by competences, forms of self assessment, working behaviour, social behaviour)
• How to form groups in class

Course Title: Connecting Classrooms in a Digital World
Course Number: 28WCOCL01N
ECTS Credits: 3

Course content: 
This course combines eTwinning with Technology-Enhanced Learning (TEL) to equip educators with the skills to integrate digital tools and international collaboration into their teaching. Participants will learn how to create, manage, and enhance eTwinning projects using modern educational technologies. The course includes hands-on activities, group work, and practical exercises to develop skills in digital pedagogy, online collaboration, and technology-driven teaching strategies.

Part 1: Introduction to eTwinning and Technology-Enhanced Learning
• Overview of eTwinning and TEL in modern education.
• Registration and profile setup on the eTwinning platform.
• Exploring successful projects that integrate TEL.

Part 2: Planning and Managing eTwinning Projects with TEL
• Defining project objectives and integrating TEL elements.
• Identifying project partners and structuring collaboration.
• Ethical considerations, eSafety, and responsible digital citizenship.

Part 3: Digital Tools for eTwinning and TEL
• Introduction to digital collaboration tools (e.g., TwinSpace, Padlet, Canva, Kahoot, Google Tools, LMS platforms).
• Interactive learning techniques using AR, VR, and gamification.
• Assessment and feedback strategies in TEL-enhanced projects.

Part 4: Implementation, Reflection, and Future Perspectives
• Launching an eTwinning project with TEL integration.
• Overcoming challenges and ensuring active student participation.
• Evaluating project outcomes and preparing a final presentation.
• Future opportunities for digital learning and international collaboration.

Course Title: Digital Tools: Learning & Teaching in the 21st Century
Course number: 28WDIGT01N
ECTS Credits: 3

Course content: 

Module 1: Foundations of ICT in Education
• Understanding 21st-century skills and digital literacy
• Digital tools for classroom management (Google Workspace, Microsoft 365)
Module 2: Engaging Students with Digital Tools
• Interactive presentations (Canva, Prezi, Mentimeter)
• Gamification & quizzes (Kahoot!, Quizizz, Socrative)
• Learning Management Systems (Google Classroom, Moodle)
Module 3: Digital Content Creation & Assessment
• Creating engaging e-learning materials (H5P, Genially)
• Online assessment & feedback tools (Google Forms, EdPuzzle)
Module 4: Cybersecurity & Ethical Digital Practices
• Online safety, data privacy, and digital footprint
• Ethical AI use in education

Course Title: Learning Beyond the Classroom: Strategies for Experiential Education
Course Number: 28WLBCR01N
ECTS Credits: 3
 

Course content:

Planing, Conducting und Reflecting School Fieldtrips:

Module 1: Theoretical Foundations of Learning Outside School 

• Benefits of outdoor, experiential, and place-based learning
• The role of nature, museums, and community spaces in education

Module 2: Planning & Implementing Outdoor Learning Organizing field trips & outdoor learning experiences

• Using storytelling & inquiry-based learning in real-world contexts
• Collaboration with museums, science centers, and local organizations

Module 3: Digital Tools for Outdoor Learning Mobile apps for outdoor learning (Google Earth, Seek by iNaturalist)

• Creating digital field journals (Padlet, Book Creator)
   
• Virtual field trips and augmented reality experiences

Module 4: Assessment & Reflection in Outdoor Learning 

• Documenting and assessing learning outside the classroom
• Reflection techniques (digital portfolios, video diaries, peer feedback)

Final Project
Design an outdoor learning activity incorporating digital tools and assessment strategies.

Course Title: Lesson Planning and Designing Teaching Materials
Course number: 28WLPDM01N 
ECTS Credits: 2

Course content: 

• Individual planning for school practice in the practice group
  Creating material
• Preparing material in a heterogeneous group
• Discussing, getting to know, and if time trying out about hundred methods of teaching regarding listening, talking,reciprocal reading, writing, story telling, songs and games

Course Title: *MediaLab
Course Number: PWahlMeLa1
ECTS Credits: 1
 

Course content:

In these times of digitalization and rapid change in our media landscape, new paths and foundations are being created for the education of the future. The MediaLab uses creative approaches to redesign teaching and learning processes and develops ideas that take into account the changes and adaptations of our modern society.

The focus is on

• Animation and video
• Digital art genres
• Artificial intelligence and art
• Legal and ethical aspects
• Multimedia storytelling
• Augmented reality

all courses marked with * are outside the international institute and it cannot be guaranteed that participation will be possible.

Course Title: Outdoor Education in sustainable and inclusive context 
Course Number: 28WOUTE01N  
ECTS Credits: 3

Course content: 
Children and adolescents nowadays often miss a close connection to nature, a resource that can help to gain self-awareness, self-confidence and can foster emotional strength. 
This course will provide you with a lot of adventurous and also gentle methods to bring children and adolescents in closer connection to nature and also offers learning opportunities in the outdoors, for science and sports education. A strong focus goes on team-building exercises for the classroom.
Outdoor activities and excursions (overnight stay in a hut)

Equipment: Hiking shoes, sleeping bag, sports clothes, warm trouses and jackets, warm socks 

Course Title: School Placement: Ways of writing and discussing reflective portfolios
Course number: 28WPLAC01N
ECTS:  5 

Half a day, usually one morning (Wednesdays), incoming students to PHOOE spend in one of our practice schools, with selected practice teachers. They observe, practice teaching themselves and reflect. Additionally to the practice teacher every team has a tutor from the university assigned. 
Please also choose the course „Lesson Planning and Designing Teaching Materials“ to accompany your practice teaching.

Attending school practice is compulsory for incoming students at PHOOE! 

Course Title: Using Video and Radio in Schools
Course Number: 28WVIDE01N
ECTS Credits: 3

Course content: 
In this course you will get basic competences in using video and audio in the classroom. We learn how to produce and publish podcasts and to do radioplays and festures with young people. You take part in student TV and radio live shows and learn how this can be done. 
From recording to editing and publishing you learn mostly in practical work - there is no previous knowledge or technical competences required. In the winter semester students take part in an international "Video in Education" competition, in which students from around 10 European universities produce educational videos in a "hackathon style" event in 4 days. Most of the course time is fulfilled during that period which usually takes place end of November (http://www.editvideochallenge.org) 

Course Title:

Research, discovery, design - STEAM at primary school level

Course Number:

Coming soon

ECTS Credits:

Coming soon

Languages of instruction:

English

Course content:

The course offers a practical approach to research-based and discovery-based learning 
in line with the STEAM approach, in which scientific, technical and mathematical content 
is combined with art and creativity. A particular focus is on designing inclusive learning 
environments in which all children - regardless of gender, background or individual circumstances - 
can develop their potential. Students learn how to specifically encourage children's curiosity 
and creativity and how to design learning spaces in such a way that mistakes are used as learning opportunities. 
By combining theory and practice, they develop their own teaching ideas, reflect on their role as a teacher 
and acquire skills to implement STEAM learning processes in a motivating, inclusive and everyday way.

Special requirements:

In the practical units as part of the course, approx. 20 € are needed for materials such as batteries, LEDs, filament for 3D printing, etc. 

Teaching and Learning methods:

Explorative learning phases with experiments and open-ended tasks
Working with everyday phenomena and child-friendly questions
Group and project work, cooperative forms of learning
Development and analysis of exemplary inclusive STEM units
Use of digital tools to support the research process
Reflection discussions, peer feedback and evaluation in learning teams

Method of evaluation and/or course completion requirements:

Documentation and analysis of own research-based learning process
Development and presentation of an inclusive STEM/STEAM learning program for the primary level
Reflection on own attitude and didactic action based on theoretical models

Course Title: Art in Education 
Course Number: 28WARTT01N
ECTS Credits: 2

Course content: 
We work practically on various design topics such as painting, graphics, printmaking, photography, lettering and mixed media. Lectures are also given on these topics; the different techniques and ideas will be useful and practical for your art teaching.

Special requirements: 
about 15€ for painting-, drawing-, printing material, paper, colored pencils, felt tips (I will buy the sketchbook for everyone)  
things to bring to the class:  black fineliner (permanent), glue, scissors, ruler

Course Title: * Instrumental music 1 (small groups) piano or guitar (please select!)
Course Number: P3BBMK2
ECTS Credits:  1,5

Course content: 

• Children's songs
• Songs from different cultures
• Accompaniment patterns
• cadences
• play simple short melodies and song beginnings

Special requirements: 

Basic knowledge of the instrument 

all courses marked with * are outside the international institute and it cannot be guaranteed that participation will be possible.

Course Title: MUSEEK: inclusive and intercultural approaches in music teaching

Course number: 28WMUSE01N

ECTS Credits: 3

Course content: 

• The unifying quality of music and dance, between people as well as nations
• The experience of different musical cultures and different musical approaches
• acquisition of pieces of music, songs and dances for school and for the own teaching
• active playing in small and larger ensembles
• exercises in order to improve the individual instrumental and vocal skills
• The interconnectedness of music and movement - the body as an instrument – body percussion
• basic striking techniques on percussion instruments (Cajon, Conga, frame drum, ...) and their applications
• exercises for rhythm training
• ear training
• exercises for musical interaction and improvisation
• reflection on musical theory in the act of playing and corresponding challenges
• producing musical instruments yourself („thunderdrum“ , Kazoo,...)
   

Course Title: * Wahlfach Chor (Choral Singing advanced)
Course number: PWahlChor1
ECTS Credits: 2

Course content:

• Breathing and singing exercises
• Selected literature in various styles
• Choral movements from jazz, pop and popular music in mixed movements

1 The Beatles: ‘Here Comes The Sun’
2 J. S. Bach: ‘Air For Advent’
3. Bette Midler: ‘From A Distance’
4. Rachel Platten: ‘Better Place’

includes mandatory performance at university Christmas party

all courses marked with * are outside the international institute and it cannot be guaranteed that participation will be possible.

Course Title: * Basic motor skills and movement games
Course number: P3BBBS1
ECTS Credits: 1,5

Course content:

• Varied, movement-rich and differentiating offers for the individual basic motor activities
  basic motor activities (walking/running, hopping/jumping, climbing...)
• Small games to promote physical and mental development and learning processes
  learning processes (fair play, accepting rules, team and group building)
• Exercise programmes to stabilise posture
• Proper use of large and small equipment.
• Safeguarding of exercise stations

all courses marked with * are outside the international institute and it cannot be guaranteed that participation will be possible.

Course Title: * Basics of short sport games
Course number: SeBBS06x01
ECTS Credits: 1,5

Course content: 

• Practical implementation and application of the most important categories of small games and sports games
• Preparatory small ball games
• General and special basic skills of small games and sports games (technical skills, tactical skills, instruction and variation of games)
• Knowledge of important and relevant rules and regulations
• Basic methodological approaches to sports games
• Game instructions and refereeing activities

all courses marked with * are outside the international institute and it cannot be guaranteed that participation will be possible.

Course Title: * Dance, Gymnastics, Rhythmic Movement
Course number: P7SPBLB51
ECTS Credits: 1,5 ECTS

Course content: 

• rhythmic movement to beats and music
• Aerobics
• dances from all over the world
• introducing dance steps to kids
• rhythmic movement with handheld devices (e.g. balls, hula hoops, ropes)
• Yoga for kids
• Story time in the sportshall
• acting and moving

Special requirements: 

• good physical condition, endurance
• indoor shoes and sportswear
   

all courses marked with * are outside the international institute and it cannot be guaranteed that participation will be possible.

Course Title: * Motor skills and abilities I
Course number: P3BBBS2
ECTS Credits: 1,5

Course content:

• Importance of coordinative skills in the course of development
• Theoretical and practical ways of promoting coordination skills
• Differentiation and reaction
• Balance and rhythm
• Moving on and around equipment/ securing and helping
• Coordinative tests
• Outdoor exercise - ice skating for beginners (methodology and practice)

all courses marked with * are outside the international institute and it cannot be guaranteed that participation will be possible.

Course Title: * Teaching Basics of Swimming 1
Course number: PWahlESW1*
ECTS Credits: 1

Course content: 

• Play and exercise forms for getting used to the water
• Exercises in the area of beginner swimming
• Simple diving exercises for distance diving
• Practical and methodical preparation of the swimming styles ‘backstroke’, ‘freestyle’ and ‘breaststroke’
• Head dive
• Error analysis and error correction
• Simple jumps from the 1m platform

all courses marked with * are outside the international institute and it cannot be guaranteed that participation will be possible.

Course Title: * Wintersports week to foster snow sports (including skiing)
Course number: P5SPBLB11_
ECTS Credits: 3

Course content: 

• Sport and exercise in winter landscapes
• Methodical didactic exercises for sliding sports on snow
• Cooperative outdoor activities
• Topic of safety in winter sports
• Nature and self-awareness
• Use of software in winter sports
• Media as an analysis tool

Special requirements: 

• takes place in February only - early preregistration required, please contact us
   

all courses marked with * are outside the international institute and it cannot be guaranteed that participation will be possible.

Course Title: Children’s literature in educational settings 
Course number: 28WCHIL01N
ECTS Credits: 3

Course content: 

• Learning potential of picture books in the English classroom
• Analysis of authentic literature for young learners
• Discussion and evaluation of activities for storytelling
• Designing and presenting activities concerning one specific picture book
• Aspects of inclusive storytelling
   

Course Title: English Communication Skills for Peace Education
Course Number: 28WECPE01N
ECTS Credits: 3

Course content: 
English for Academic Dialogue and Discourse teaches students to understand and appropriately use academic language for discussion and dialogue. It encourges students to understand the differences between discussion and dialogue and provides training in "non violent communication"

Activities will include:

• Participation in classroom interactions, seminar discussions and topical debates
• Practicing skills such as doing presentations and stating one’s point of view in a discussion following guidelines of dialogue
• Researching and evaluating journal articles and/or films about current and relevant educational and societal issues
• Conducting Internet searches in English about relevant cultural, societal and educational issues
• Involving oneself with learning activities and assignments outside of the classroom
• Developing cooperative and collaborative learning workshops

Course Title: German Beginners (Deutsch für Anfänger)
Course number: 28WGERB01N
ECTS Credits: 3

Course content: 
This course is specifically designed for those students who have not had a chance to study German yet and have little to no knowledge of the German language.

In this course you will be using the book ‘Schritte Plus A 1.1’, studying the basics of German such as ‘Introductions’, ‘My Family’, ‘Food and Drink’ and ‘Numbers’ etc. to help you in everyday life in Austria. By the end of this course, students’ German language skills in Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking should be at level A1.

Course Title: German Advanced (Deutsch Kommunikation)
Course number: 28WGERA01N
ECTS Credits: 3

Course content: 
In this course, all four competences are trained at level B2/C1, with a focus on speaking. Depending on the needs of the students, grammatical structures, sentence structure, etc. are repeated and pronunciation exercises are carried out.

Course Title: Learning and teaching English language skills
Course number: 28WLTEL01N
ECTS Credits: 3

Course content: 
Methods for improving English language skills

• Exercises for Brushing up students’ English – focus depends on the students’ individual needs
• Activities for improving pronunciation
• Teaching resources for teaching English as a Foreign Language
• Analysis of teaching material
• CLIL

Implications of teaching English in an inclusive setting

Course Title: Teaching English to very young and young learners 
Course number: 28WTEYL01N
ECTS Credits: 3

Course content: 

• Characteristics of VYL and YL and their implications for teaching
• Language teaching strategies in early childhood settings
• Analysis of various cross-cultural programmes of teaching English to VYL and YL
• Multilingualism and its implications for teaching E to VYL and YL
• Opportunities for language promotion in early childhood and primary school settings